Hawks NHL Record 24 Straight Games with a Point to Start the Season

[MassHavoc]

Because I'm tired of talking about the bullshit from last nights game, how about we talk about how great this team has been playing... dare I say cup worthy... Discuss... can they get the next one, how far can they go.

 

[CLWolf81]

Next game is San Jose..... pretty difficult to get a point from them, but we did last week.



I'll be frank and honest in saying that this year's team reminds me of the same team we share a record with... That honor is very hard to come by and I am very grateful to be a part of history in seeing this happen twice.



This team is good and I'm cautiously optimistic... Reason being is the fact that after the record start, the Ducks had a nasty skid midway in the season to get down to 3rd place at one point. After that, a small winning streak at the end helped their cause to be the 2 seed that year. I don't recall any significant injuries that year either, so I think this year's team might be slightly better. Again, though, I'm being very cautious about everything regarding this til the end of it all. In short, its still early.



I have no idea where we're headed, and if last season was any indication, we aren't in the playoffs right now until its official. I'm thinking 30 wins should net us a spot for sure.



Either way, I don't expect perfection, but I am certainly happy with the results.

 

[roshinaya]

It's an incredible run, something I doubt many of us expected going into this season. And having such a great start is especially good considering it's a shortened season. Picking up as many points as possible early on might allow the Hawks to save some energy and position themselves for a long playoff run, which I think is the only goal now. Before the season I would have been happy with a second round appearance, but considering the blistering start they've had it's becoming more like anything else than a Cup would be a disappointment.



That said, it's clear that this streak has to end at some point and things have a tendency to regress towards the mean in the long run. Question is how high is the Hawks mean compared to the rest of the league? But at least take the record in the next game and strike that off the list and continue to keep on pushing and improving as far as they can. Despite the great record, there are still issues with the team. Especially the bad third periods lately which are going to cost them a game at some point. And of course, the PP, which despite having scored the last couple of games still doesn't convince me. Having a strong PP could have put these past games away far earlier than they did.

 

[MassHavoc]

I like that we seem to be a balanced team, some sort of production from all 4 lines, both goalies playing out of their minds, and the PK is the real deal... while the PP is a vast improvement. For me it's more important to have a good PK than PP but they are both essential in the long run. They will hit a wall, but it will be interesting to see how hard. I just want everyone healthy. They have really really been flying out there and seem more physical than in the past when, until last night, has seemed to deter some of the physicality back. For me, most improved player... ::gulp:: Stalberg. He's really come on for me, and while he may not be showing it on paper he seems to have added a second dimension. It's not just be the first to the puck and try to beat him with a wrister. He's driving to the net and his line-mates are following. I'm not sure he's a top line guy yet but I really like what he's done so far this year, maybe it's just more noticeable because the team as a whole is better.

 

[roshinaya]

Krüger and to a lesser degree Frolik have been my most improved players in my eyes. They've finally found their roles and are executing it at a high level. And I have a feeling we haven't seen all of Krüger yet. Once he has mastered the defensive side of the game and he's confident in it I could see him improving his offensive game. I reckon Frolik could also have a similar trajectory or then he will be content in being a good role player that can chip in some offense here and there.



On the back side the Hammer/Oduya pairing has been the best so far. Oduya has taken the role of a Campbell-light and allowed Hammer to be the safe stay-at-home D again. Crawford and Emery has been excellent as well. I thought most of the criticisms towards Crawford prior to this season was exaggerated and reactionary and that last year was the anomaly and the year prior to that was more true to what Crawford was capable of. So far he has shown that in spades. Just hope his concussion won't mess with that and he returns, hopefully soon, in the same shape as before.

 

[Ton]

The PK has been treading downhill since Crawford was injured, but otherwise I agree with those points Mass.



Stalberg didn't look out of place at all with Toews and Saad, if Hossa is out for any extended time obviously he can't be replaced but I don't mind Stalberg up there. I don't think he's ready to carry his own line yet, but he is definitely a very good complimentary player to have. I'd still like to see him with Kruger and Frolik.... putting Shaw and Bickell with Bollig. I think Kruger and Frolik both deserve to play with a good player like Stalberg, they have been better than I expected... seems like they are finally comfortable playing in Chicago and really becoming an effective tandem on the defensive side of the puck. Kruger carries the offense on that line though, Frolik is good on the forecheck, but if you put Stalberg with them I think you have a 3rd line that can check and score any given night. Shaw, Bickell, and Bollig then give you that classic crash and bang energy line that wear the opposition down.



Obviously I think we have the deepest crop of forwards in the league right now... we could be the only true 4 line team in the NHL. The Ducks come as a close 2nd, maybe Montreal too if they can last, which is a huge surprise. I can't really place anyone else in that category. Our D core is among the best in the NHL too. Rozsival has always been a top four or five defenseman on any team he's played on... in Chicago he is a 6/7 guy so that just tells you how deep we are.



Pretty happy with the goaltending situation too, Crawford has been dynamite and Emery has been good enough to win... which is fine from a back-up. Surprisingly I actually have some confidence in Karlsson coming in and playing a pretty minute if he has to.

 

[otunj20]

Prediciton: Blackhawks will go undefeated when they score more goals than their opponents.

 

[the canadian dream]

stalbergs been solid but hes just having issues finishing again. otherwise hes been good on both sides of the puck. again he is an under rated defensive forward. that guy back checks really well with his spead. never takes a shift off which is what every player on this team right now gets credit for.



kruger has become one of the best hawks penalty killers. im not taking too much stock in last nights rough pk in the third period. being without seabs and hossa hurts the pk. ok might actually suffer a bit without hossa if its a bad injury. being without craw hurts also but i think hossa is a bigger pk loss.



teams solid and its test time again with injuries. i have confidence based on the work ethic. cant remembet who said it but the best quote about this team " hawks have the record they do not only because of deep talent but because they are respecting the game of hockey more so than any other team". thats a grest quote.

 

[jakobeast]

As Mill500 says "13-0-3 is great. My concern is ending the season the same way" or something like that.

 

[Ton]

Yeah Hossa out will hurt for sure TCD. I'm just talking stats-wise... Emery's save percent on the PK is 0.792 this year while Crawford has a 0.952 save percentage on the PK... big difference and I can see it. Nothing has changed with the PK other than that. Hossa being out won't help either, but the biggest game changer back there has to be the goalie on a PK. We had the #1 PK with Crawford back there... without him we've dropped to #3 and could be out of the top 5 by the end of the week.

 

[PatrickSharpRules]

Because I'm tired of talking about the bullshit from last nights game, how about we talk about how great this team has been playing... dare I say cup worthy... Discuss... can they get the next one, how far can they go.

Looking at the other 3 teams season outcomes that started this way brings a huge smile to my face.

 

[Pez68]

It took a couple years, but this team hates to lose again. It's great to see.

 

[PatrickSharpRules]

It took a couple years, but this team hates to lose again. It's great to see.

Agreed.

 

[MassHavoc]

I know I said Stalberg was the most improved... but I really think that Crow/Razor has been the absolute difference. It's an obvious choice, but I think Crow looks like a different goalie out there at times... not so frail in the head.

 

[MassHavoc]

I just want to say that while they are tried for the best start of having a point in each of their first 16 games, I believe that they should have the record by themselves because they have one more point than the ducks did at this point. 13-0-3 vs. 12-0-4... so there. Shut up wolfie, I don't want to hear it.

 

[bookjones]

I just want to say that while they are tried for the best start of having a point in each of their first 16 games, I believe that they should have the record by themselves because they have one more point than the ducks did at this point. 13-0-3 vs. 12-0-4... so there. Shut up wolfie, I don't want to hear it.

It's adorbs (and homoerotic!) how you affectionately call him "Wolfie"---it's like he's your boo.

 

[mikita's helmet]

[

Next game is San Jose..... pretty difficult to get a point from them, but we did last week.

Uh,



...we got two points twice from them already. 'Course ya gotta lose sometime.



...right?

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

It's an incredible run, something I doubt many of us expected going into this season. And having such a great start is especially good considering it's a shortened season. Picking up as many points as possible early on might allow the Hawks to save some energy and position themselves for a long playoff run, which I think is the only goal now. Before the season I would have been happy with a second round appearance, but considering the blistering start they've had it's becoming more like anything else than a Cup would be a disappointment.



That said, it's clear that this streak has to end at some point and things have a tendency to regress towards the mean in the long run. Question is how high is the Hawks mean compared to the rest of the league? But at least take the record in the next game and strike that off the list and continue to keep on pushing and improving as far as they can. Despite the great record, there are still issues with the team. Especially the bad third periods lately which are going to cost them a game at some point. And of course, the PP, which despite having scored the last couple of games still doesn't convince me. Having a strong PP could have put these past games away far earlier than they did.

Since when do you care about history that was made? fucking smartass



don't you have a snide comment to make or horrible music to listen to?



Too bad the Hawks lost to the Preds the year they won the cup thanks to this negative piece of shit.... oh wait they actually won the Cup.

 

[genefoley]

Will secondary market last row of the 300 level tickets not cost $100 after they lose? If so, I'm all for them losing one. After Friday of course.

 

[CLWolf81]

I just want to say that while they are tried for the best start of having a point in each of their first 16 games, I believe that they should have the record by themselves because they have one more point than the ducks did at this point. 13-0-3 vs. 12-0-4... so there. Shut up wolfie, I don't want to hear it.

I actually agree with your statement... Pointwise, its a point better. Can't complain.



Look, the record is shared and this is the second time I've seen this happen.



Do I think this team is better than the Ducks in that sense? I've never seen the focus and poise this team has, especially with the fact there was no training camp, not to mention some people coming back without real games to play. That alone is incredible, especially for the record the Hawks have. I'd have to say the Hawks are slightly better for now, but they have impressed me a lot already the way the season's gone thus far. However, there's still loads of games left.



I'm just being cautiously optimistic due to the fact we've seen letdowns here before, so forgive me for that.



I will say this, though.... If the end result is the same as the 07' Ducks, you can bet the Hawks 13' team will be the best between the two in my opinion.